Pkopelling mechanism for vessels



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. F. GRAY. PROPELLING MEGHANISM-FOR VESSELS. No. 605,782.

Patented June 14,1898

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

P. GRAY.

PROPBLLING MECHANISM FOR VBSSELS.

Patented June 14,1898.

www/mow UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK GRAY, OF ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY.

`l-"ROPELLING MECHANISM FOR VESSELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 605,782, dated June 14, 1898. Application filed May 14:, 1897. Serial No. 636,581. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known thatl, FRANK GRAY, of Atlantic City, in the county of Atlantic and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new Yand useful Improvements in Propelling Mechanism for Steam Vessels; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact` description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to propelling mechanism for vessels of that type wherein a water-cylinder containing a ram operated by suitable mechanism is employed for displacing the water at the rear of the vessel, and thereby driving the same forward.

.The object of my' invention is ,to provide improved mechanism of this type; and it consists in disposing within the hull of the vessel a Water-cylinder opening through the stern of the vessel and a steam-cylinder of relatively smaller diameter and provided with a plunger-rod, to which the two pistons or plungers are connected, and also provided with mechanism for regulating the speed of the plungers and cushioning the same on their return strokes, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and speciiically set forth in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of my invention applied in the stern of a vessel, the latter being representedl by broken lines. Fig. 2^ is a view looking toward the stern of the vessel, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the steam-chest and parts.

Like numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a vessel-hull, and 2 a water-cylinder placed within the vessel and having its outer end open and exposed at an opening 3 in the stern of the vessel. The inner end of the water-cylinder is closed, and the open outer end thereof, does not project beyond the line of the vessel, and hence injury thereto is prevented. A steam-cylinder tis arranged in line with the water-cylinder, but is of relatively smaller diameter.

5 designates a plunger-rod operating in inder, with `a steam-plunger 9.

stuffing-boxes 6 7 in the adjacent heads of the two cylinders, and provided at one end, within the water-cylinder, with a ram or plunger 8 and at the other end, within the steam-cyl- The steamcylinder is provided with a steam-chest 10, having a steam-supply pipe 11 leading from the boiler, and is in communication with the steam-cylinder by means of a steam-supply port 12, controlled by a slide-valve 13, with which a valve-rod 14 is connected, said rod being supported at its outer end in guides 15, se-

cured to the closed head of the water-cylinder. The steam-cylinder is also provided with a steam-exhaust port 17, controlled by a slidevalve 18, with which a valve-rod 19 is connected, said rod working in guides 2O on the water-cylinder. This latter valve is inclosed within a steam-exhaust chest 2l, from which an exhaust-pipe 22 extends to the condenser of the vessel. Suitable mechanism is provided for automatically opening-and closing the said valves and controlling the admission and exhaust of steam to the steam-cylinder. To this end the plunger-rod is provided with a tappet-rod 23, projecting toward the valverod of the steam-supply valve, which is adapted .to engage tappet-blocks 24 25 on the said valve-rod and slide the rod to actuate the valve. The valve-rod 19 of the exhaust-valve is provided with tappet-blocks 26 27, with which a tappet-rod 28, projecting from the plunger-rod, is adapted to engage to open and close said valve and regulate the exhauststeam from the steam-cylinder.

The water-cylinder is provided with an airsupply pipe 29, leading to an air tank or chamber 30, the object of which is to supply the closed end of the cylinder with air to serve as a cushion upon the return stroke of the ram or plunger. The water-cylinder is also provided With a water-supply pipe 31, projecting IOO their outward stroke the pressure of the Water on the water-cylinder would be so great as t0 cause it to make its return stroke with great Velocity, thereby rendering the propelling mechanism liable to damage. By means of the air-supply tank or chamber on the Water-supply pipe leading to the water it will be seen that the vacuum caused by the outstroke of the piston Will cause an inrush of water and air Which Will retard the piston on its return stroke and regulate the speed thereof, the quantity of Water passing through the supply-pipe being regulated by the controlling-cock.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a propellingr mechanism for vessels, the combination of a cylinder closed at its inner end and open at its outer end, said end being exposed in an opening at the stern of the vessel, a steam-cylinder arranged in line With the Water-cylinder, a piston-rod movable in axial line with said cylinders through stuifing-boxes in the adjacent heads thereof, a plunger upon the outer end of said movable rod Within the Water-cylinder, a piston on the other end movable Within the steam-cylinder, a steam-chest upon one end of the steam-eylinder having connection with the boiler, a sliding valve in said chest, a sliding valve controlling an exhaust-port on the opposite side of said cylinder and having connection With the condenser, connecting devices bctween the piston-rod and the Valve-rods intermediate the two cylinders for automatically opening and closing said valves, and air and Water supply pipes connected with the Water-cylinder at the inner end thereof, all substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK GRAY.

Vitnesses:

WVM. D. MUIP., E. GRAY, Jr. 

